Antonio’s deli and bakery brings a touch of Brooklyn to the heart of Maine.
LEWISTON – Talk with Tony Briglio for a minute and his Brooklyn accent makes it clear that this guy’s a New Yorker.
Now he’s brought a taste of New York to Lewiston. And business at his Antonio’s New York Deli and Bakery is “very good, thank God.”
Briglio said he discovered Lewiston through a family connection. Once here, he quickly spotted what he sees as a need for a variety of good, quick, quality foods.
“There was nothing different,” he says. “I wanted to bring something that people would like.”
That something is what he calls “authentic New York deli” foods and service.
While people might come in for a special, say mortadella and provolone with eggplant and garlic on crusty Italian bread, it’s the friendly, sometimes teasing, banter between employees – and occasionally with a customer – that provides the entertainment.
“People like that,” Briglio says of the behind-the-counter chatter. “You can see them smile when they hear us.”
He encourages his 15 employees to chat it up as they work. It makes the place seem like the deli in New York City where Briglio learned the business.
But it isn’t strictly the entertainment that keeps people coming in. For that, he credits the food. It’s good quality, combined in both traditional and unusual selections.
Briglio says “we can’t keep up with” orders for his steak and cheese. Add pastrami and corned beef – Reubens in particular – to the list of the more popular sandwiches, with New York cheesecake for dessert.
The cheesecake – pick a flavor, including a Maine-influenced whoopie pie taste- and look-alike -as are Briglio’s breads and other pastries, are all made in the basement bakery of the deli.
Cakes and pies may be ordered whole or by the slice.
The deli also offers breakfasts, salmon and meat pies on Fridays, hero and specialty sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps.
Meats and cheeses can be had as well.
The deli is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Its 29 Lisbon St. location is the site of the former Just Joan’s Restaurant and Bakery, before it moved into Mr. Paperback.
Comments are no longer available on this story